GETTING INSIDE

The 2008-09 season was an awful one for Lafayette. With some of their top players coming off injury-plagued seasons, the Leopards enter the new campaign with a roster full of question marks.

For example, 6-8 sophomore Ryan Willen is coming off a solid rookie season, averaging 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds, but he has had foot problems.

Willen is flanked by 6-8 junior Jared Mintz (9.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg), coming off ankle and foot injuries. Junior Darion Benbow (4.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg) provides integral depth in the frontcourt, but he is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Injuries aren’t the only issue facing Frank O’Hanlon’s squad. The Leopards were last in the league in defense and prone to shoddy rebounding and turnovers. They are also an inexperienced team in a league filled with more-veteran opponents.

Their primary leadership will come in the form of a pair of 6-2 seniors—Michael Gruner (8.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg) and Jeff Kari (10.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

With most of the key players, including three returning starters spending much of the offseason trying to get healthy, the Leopards could face an uphill climb in the conference. It has been five years since the Leopards turned in a winning season. For O’Hanlon to deliver one this season, they are going to have to hope their luck changes.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Lafayette turned the ball over 505 times last season. Among Patriot League teams, only Holy Cross (509) turned the ball over more.

• Sophomore F Jared Mintz was second in the Patriot League in field goal percentage last season, converting 54 percent of his shots.

• G Michael Gruner was second in the league in steals last season, recording 1.79 per game.

Last Year:   8-22 overall, 4-10 in the Patriot League, tied for seventh

Head Coach:   Frank O’Hanlon (career 193-211); 15th year at Lafayette (193-211).

Quote To Note:   “I take great pride in my defense and that is probably my best asset to the team. I do believe I can set up teammates and score the ball well and am working hard to be more of an offensive force this year. Not being the most vocal person, I like to lead by example.”—G Michael Gruner, on goleopards.com

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   Tony Johnson, a 5-11 point guard who averaged 18 points while playing his high school ball in Folsom, Calif., is the freshman most likely to crack the Leopards’ rotation. Freshman big man Levi Giese is bench depth at this stage.

Key Early-season Games:   Following an opening night battle against Wagner, the Leopards hit the road for four of their next five games—at Sacred Heart (Nov. 15), St. Francis (Nov. 19), New Jersey Institute of Technology (Nov. 21) and Georgetown on Nov. 28.

Program Direction:   The Leopards are too young and (possibly) too banged up to do much damage in the league this season. They feature a few potential scoring threats in Ryan Willen and Jared Mintz. It is not likely they will compete this season, but could build toward the future with those two as the centerpieces.

Probable Starting Lineup:   G Michael Gruner, G Jeff Kari, F Ryan Willen, F Jared Mintz, F Darion Benbow

Roster Report:  

• Sophomore F Ryan Willen had an extra bone in his foot that doctors believed was causing problems with his Achilles’ tendon. That bone was removed in the offseason.

• Junior F Jared Mintz opted against offseason surgery despite battling ankle and foot injuries during his first two seasons.

• Junior F Darion Benbow had offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to be fine for opening night.

• G Nick Petkovich (2.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg), a 6-5 sophomore, had his freshman year ended early following a foot surgery He also underwent offseason back surgery.

• Freshman C Peter Daaleman left the team in October, citing personal reasons.